Refurbishment Timeline Announced for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas!

[FSU Girl]

So I know they closed half the building to work on renovations. But they are opening floors as they finish? Trying to understand so a new room could happen but still unlikely at this point?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I noticed, when checking availability for a studio at Jambo, that there is no availability at any time from September 2026 until the end of November (DVC didn't show past then). So I wonder if they're planning to close the 5th floor all at the same time.

 

[sndral]

I noticed, when checking availability for a studio at Jambo, that there is no availability at any time from September 2026 until the end of November (DVC didn't show past then). So I wonder if they're planning to close the 5th floor all at the same time.

Amazing how fast availability changes - it’s about an hour after your post & I just took a look at Jambo studio & 1 br. availability & found 7 day availability for both resort & savanna view studios for the end of November, savanna view studio availability for the end of October, & only some scattered studio availability (less than 7 continuous days) for the end of September. As per usual there was more 1 br. availability.
Maybe they’ve removed some % but not all of inventory for the refurb?
I know a lot of folks on DIS tell people that you can always book AKV & thus there’s no need to own there for home resort booking, & while that may be the case w/ the larger Kidani, that’s not been my experience w/ booking Jambo. The Jambo availability for fall 2026 looks pretty similar to the pattern I usually see, granted I don’t keep close track & maybe things are booking a little earlier this fall, but IME values/concierge go first, resort view books up next, savanna view books up last & because it has far fewer villas than Kidani, Jambo always books up first .

 

[Ariel620]

If I were to guess, I might guess the AKL club level rooms start refurbishment on Nov 29 based on this availability

 

[Elephantay]

So...we own at AKL and typically do a split stay. Would you try to book for September with the hopes of getting a refurbished room at Jambo? With first time visitors you want to WOW? Chances of getting a refurbished room?

 

[muppets3d]

So...we own at AKL and typically do a split stay. Would you try to book for September with the hopes of getting a refurbished room at Jambo? With first time visitors you want to WOW? Chances of getting a refurbished room?

I would book Kidani if you want to be sure you'll have a refurbished room. If an old room will be a disappointment then don't book Jambo because the resort will not be finished when you check in, so a refurbished room is not a guarantee. You can always ask about availability when checking in, but they probably won't have that many done and ready for guests by September so it's really a gamble.

 

[Elephantay]

Yes, I think you’re right. I’m disappointed but I know it is a longshot. The hotel is done right that’s all been renovated at Jambo?

 

[muppets3d]

Yes, I think you’re right. I’m disappointed but I know it is a longshot. The hotel is done right that’s all been renovated at Jambo?

Yes at Jambo the hotel rooms were recently renovated. The DVC rooms on floors 5 and 6 will begin once Kidani is complete. The hotel rooms have rather different amenities than the DVC rooms, which is typical for all hybrid hotel/villa resorts on property.

 

[Leight19]

As a quick note I currently have 2br value Nov 30th to Dec 6th but cannot book Dec 7th. Could be a glitch in system so may call but my best guess is the room out of inventory for refurb starting that date.

 

[Leight19]

As a quick note I currently have 2br value Nov 30th to Dec 6th but cannot book Dec 7th. Could be a glitch in system so may call but my best guess is the room out of inventory for refurb starting that date.

Following up on this post I checked site again at midnight when the 8th is visible but not bookable by anyone and it is unavailable. This means starting Dec 7th 100% of the value rooms at jambo are taken out of inventory. I’ll likely try to reach out to member services to confirm as I’d hope they don’t take out both sides of resort blocking all value at once but would do refurb in sections.